NPSO: Church musician arrested in church burglary

Natchitoches Parish deputies have arrested a church musician after he allegedly broke into the church back in December.

Deputies say on December 15, 2013, they responded to a report of a burglary at St. Matthews Church on Five Forks Road near the Ashland community. Deputies say someone had attempted to force their way through the front door but gained entry by breaking out glass at the back of the church.

Two JS 15-inch speakers, valued at $600, were stolen. Deputies were able to lift fingerprints from the scene.

Detectives interviewed the church musician, 29-year-old Antonio Johnson, Sr., on December 23rd. Johnson claimed the stolen speakers belonged to him. He also let detectives take his fingerprints.

Detectives determined the fingerprints from the scene and Johnson's fingerprints were a match on January 6th. A warrant was issued for his arrest, but Johnson told deputies that he would turn himself in.

When Johnson failed to turn himself in, deputies went to his home and arrested him on Saturday, February 8th.

Johnson was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center and charged with Felony Criminal Damage to Property, and Felony Probation Violation in Rapides Parish. Johnson has prior burglary arrests including burglary of a religious building.